Morris Public Works Authority Receives $999,999 Water System Loan with Principal Forgiveness from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Morris Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $999,999 loan with 100% principal forgiveness on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
The Authority operates a public water system requiring upgrades to restore and replace aging, inoperable system components. The proposed project will replace approximately 2,315 feet of aging water line, restoration of an existing booster pump station, and the installation of a backup generator and a high altitude valve at an existing 60,000-gallon tower. By restoring the pump station and deteriorating water lines, the Authority will ensure that compliance will be met and maintained in the distribution system. These upgrades will increase the efficiency of operations and improve the reliability of the service provided to the residents and businesses in the community.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,581,300 when compared to traditional financing.
“I appreciate the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for investing in critical, local infrastructure to improve water reliability and aging systems,” said Senator Bryan Logan, R-Paden. “These upgrades will keep the district in compliance with water pressure requirements while making sure access to safe and healthy water is guaranteed for residents. This funding will play a key role in helping the city of Morris build new infrastructure and support its community.”
Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB, and Rob Singletary, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), express their sincere appreciation to State Senator Bryan Logan and State Representative Scott Fetgatter for their support of the DWSRF program.
The DWSRF program is administered by the OWRB and ODEQ with partial funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The DWSRF program has provided approximately $2.5 billion in drinking water loans to provide communities with the resources necessary to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects our valuable water resources statewide.
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $8.7 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
Established in 1957, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) serves as the state’s water resources planning and development agency. A nine-member Board oversees the OWRB, with members appointed by the Governor to represent nine geographic regions and water-use sectors. The OWRB is committed to managing, protecting, and improving Oklahoma’s water resources to meet long-term water supply, water quality, flood mitigation, and infrastructure needs. For more information, visit Oklahoma.gov/owrb.
